Mondstadt — atop the bell tower of the Favonius Cathedral.
Venti gazed into the distance at the rampaging Dvalin, his expression grave.
He had already taken advantage of the cathedral's loosened defenses to retrieve the Holy Lyre der Himmel—the Skyward Lyre that once accompanied him.
But just as he prepared to join the battle—
He realized something was terribly wrong.
Dvalin was far stronger than before.
A dense, black aura coiled around the dragon's body—radiating silence, destruction, and death.
At a glance, Venti recognized it.
Abyssal power.
Even as the Anemo Archon, he no longer had full confidence in subduing Dvalin.
Among the Seven, Venti had never been the strongest in raw combat.
Whether it was Rex Lapis of Liyue or the Raiden Shogun of Inazuma, both far surpassed him in sheer strength.
And Dvalin—
Though once his companion—
Was still a being who had survived the ancient Archon War.
Even at his weakest, he was not to be underestimated.
Now, corrupted by the Abyss…
He was stronger than ever.
Venti had no choice but to be cautious.
He needed to find a weakness—and end it in one decisive strike.
Meanwhile — Liyue, Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
Zhongli watched the battle unfold, his brows slightly furrowed.
As the Geo Archon, he had once seen Dvalin, the Dragon of the East Wind, at a gathering of the Seven.
Its strength was no less than that of Osial, the Overlord of the Vortex.
Now, seeing Dvalin cloaked in that sinister black aura—
Zhongli fell into deep thought.
This form… was stronger than ever before.
Even he felt a trace of concern.
Though he wished to aid his old friend—
His identity as one of the Seven bound him.
The Seven Archons were not only symbols of authority—
But also prisoners of their roles.
Every action they took would be magnified.
If he were to step into Mondstadt now—
It might be seen as an act of invasion.
And that could spark unnecessary war.
"Old friend… how will you respond?"
Back in Mondstadt.
Venti was growing increasingly anxious. Sweat beaded faintly on his forehead.
"Where is it… where is it?!"
He still hadn't found Dvalin's weakness—
But the people of Mondstadt could not wait.
Cries of pain and despair echoed everywhere.
The pressure on him was immense.
On the frontlines, Jean continued directing the battle.
But Dvalin was simply too powerful.
As a godlike being, even a trace of his power was beyond what mortals could endure.
[Amber]: Acting Grand Master, order a retreat! We… we can't hold on much longer! The wind barrier around Dvalin is like a wall—we can't damage him at all! The backlash is injuring our own people! Please—withdraw!
[Kaeya]: Venti, aren't you the Anemo Archon? Why aren't you doing anything? Slacking off was one thing before—but now? What are you waiting for? Death?!
[Venti]: That's not it! I…!
Venti felt wronged.
Of course he wanted to stop Dvalin—
But if he failed to subdue him in one decisive move…
The consequences would be far worse.
[Cao Zhong]: Dvalin's weakness is the poisoned spike on his back. It was formed from Durin's toxic blood, the whispers of the Abyss, and the sorrow of being forgotten. Only by purifying that corruption can he regain his clarity.
[Venti]: I see! Thank you, Cao Zhong!
With Cao Zhong's guidance, Venti finally understood.
"Then all I need to do… is use the Lyre to destroy that spike!"
He seized the moment—aiming directly at Dvalin's back.
"The seasons turn, the winds sing—go, Song of the High Heavens!"
Gathering all his divine power into a single arrow—
A brilliant emerald light burst forth, illuminating all of Mondstadt.
The radiance streaked across the sky, shooting straight toward Dvalin.
Hope ignited in the hearts of the people.
Their god had acted.
But just as victory seemed certain—
Something went wrong.
Dvalin roared violently—
Unleashing a massive tornado that collided head-on with Venti's attack.
It shattered.
Venti's arrow… shattered.
"That's impossible!"
Venti's eyes widened in disbelief.
Since when had Dvalin become this powerful?
The spark of hope in the people's eyes dimmed.
"If even the Anemo Archon can't stop him… is there no hope left?"
In Liyue—
Zhongli suddenly stood up.
Even if Venti was weaker than him—
That attack should not have been stopped so easily.
"Could it be…"
His gaze fixed on the deepening abyssal aura surrounding Dvalin.
Cao Zhong, who had thought this battle would soon end, was also stunned.
"…It's the Abyss."
Looking at the nearly materialized abyssal energy—
He understood.
His presence had likely changed the course of events.
The Abyss Order had further enhanced Dvalin.
That was why he had become this powerful.
Looking at the wounded citizens of Mondstadt—
Cao Zhong could no longer sit still.
War might forge growth—
But this was meaningless slaughter.
He quietly stepped behind Jean—
And placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Let me go."
Jean looked at him steadily—
Seeing the resolve in his eyes.
She understood.
This man, who usually seemed carefree and unreliable—
Would step forward when it truly mattered.
For some reason—
She felt an inexplicable trust in him.
"Come back safely."
Cao Zhong gently brushed a finger across her cheek.
"When I return, you all better stop arguing."
Jean's face flushed slightly.
Even now… he was still joking.
[Jean]: Knights of Favonius, hear my command—retreat! All units, withdraw!
[Kaeya]: Acting Grand Master, we can still hold on! Let us fight a little longer!
[Eula]: Jean Gunnhildr, do you even understand what you're saying? Behind us is Mondstadt itself! If we retreat today—where do we retreat tomorrow? To Liyue? There's nowhere left to fall back!
[La Signora]: Oh my, can't hold on anymore? Say the word, and the Fatui will gladly help~
[Amber]: Acting Grand Master!
[Barbara]: Sister!
[Jean]: Retreat. The rest… leave it to Cao Zhong.
What?!
Jean's words shocked everyone watching.
The "camera" seemed to understand—
Instantly focusing on one person.
At this moment—
The eyes of the world were upon him.
Cao Zhong.